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Minor League Player of the Day – Jerry Sands (AAA) - 5 for 6, 1 2B, 4 RBI's, 2 Runs. Really, Sands again? While there were some other strong performances on Monday, Jerry was simply the best of the bunch so I had to give him the award. In the month of August Sands has a .42 average, a .514 OB%, and a 1.268 OPS.
AAA – In a game that produced 30 runs and 40 hits, the Isotopes came out on the short end against the Zephyrs (Marlins) in a 20 - 10 loss. For the third day in a row a franchise record fell as the 4 hour and 2 minute contest was the longest 9-inning game in Albuquerque history, and for the 21st game in a row Jerry Sands had a hit. In fact, Sands had 5 hits including a double and drove in 4 to continue his torrid month of August. Tony Gwynn went 3 for 5 and Josh Fields had a pair of hits, but believe it or not that was about it for the offensive highlights. It was ugly on the mound for the Isotopes on Monday, starting with Fernando Nieve who gave up 8 hits (including 4 homers) and 7 runs. Michael Antonini was just as as he allowed 6 runs in just over an inning, while Luis Vasquez permitted 5 runs to score while recording just 1 out.
AA – Aaron Miller was great on Monday, but a late bullpen meltdown resulted in a 5 - 1 Lookout loss to the Smokies (Cubs). Miller allowed 6 hits over 6 frames and allowed just one unearned run, striking out 6 without issuing a walk. He left the game with the score tied, and while Red Patterson got out of a mini jam in the 7th, Eric Eadington wasn't as lucky in the 8th as he gave up 3 hits, 2 walks, and 4 runs to record the loss. At the plate Chattanooga's bats were quiet as Rafael Ynoa's double was the only extra bast hit. The other 5 singles were spread amount 5 players, with J.T. Wise picking up the team's only RBI.
HiA – The Quakes' pitching staff allowed 14 runs through the first four innings, and while they made a valiant comeback attempt late in the game they ended up falling to the JetHawks (Astros) 14 to 11. It's not surprise that the two teams combined for 25 runs given that the game was played in Lancaster, and with the wind blowing 24 mph starter Jarrett Martin got pounded early as he gave up two homers and 5 runs and didn't make it out of the 1st. Brandon Martinez threw in relief and was even worse as he allowed 7 runs over 1.1 innings, but the one bright spot was Jordan Roberts who continued his consistency with 3.2 shutout frames. At the plate Austin Gallagher had a big game as he went 2 for 4 with a double and a 3-run homer, driving in 4 runs in total. Chris Jacobs also hit a 3-run bomb to start the comeback attempt in the 8th, and while Joc Pederson's bases clearing double in the 9th brought Racho to within 3, they just couldn't finish closing the gap.
LoA – The Loons had twice the number of hits as the Whitecaps (Tigers), but they weren't able to capitalize as Great Lakes fell to West Michigan 5 to 2. O'Koyea Dickson had another big game as his 3 singles gave him 7 hits over the past two days, and James Baldwin had both of the team's RBI's. Pedro Guerrero went 2 for 4, and Michael Pericht's double was the only extra base hit. On the mound Greg Wilborn had a rough outing as he allowed 4 hits, 5 walks, and 5 runs. James Campbell was great in relief and Daniel Coulombe finished the game with a perfect frame, but unfortunately the damage had already been done.
Rookie Ogden – After scoring just a single run over the weekend, the Raptors exploded for 15 on Monday in a 15 - 9 win over Missoula (Dbacks). Almost everyone contributed to this victory, including Corey Seager who went 2 for 3 with a double, a homer, 2 walks, and 2 RBI's. Jesus Valdez led the Raptors with 4 RBI's thanks to a pair of doubles, and Eric Smith had a team high 4 hits to drive in 3. Bladimir Franco had the other homer in the game, and finally Malcolm Holland singled thrice and stole two bases. Despite the big win things didn't go so well for Gregg Downing who was making the first start of his professional career. Downing allowed all 9 runs in 3+ innings of work on 8 hits and 3 walks. The Raptor relievers were solid, however, as Jason West tossed 4 scoreless frames and Carlos De Aza followed with 2 shutout innings.
Rookie Arizona – Off day
DSL Game 1 – The Dominican Dodgers played an interesting game in their first part of their double header against the Mariners, but ended up losing 7 to 6. The Dodgers collected 17 hits compared to just 8 by the Mariners, and were led by 3 for 5 efforts from Melvin Santana and Johnathan Linares. Yensys Capellan went 2 for 4 with a triple, and a trio of other hitters also had more than 1 hit. On the mound the Dodger pitchers recorded 11 K's compared to just 1 by the Mariners, starting with 9 strikeouts from Wander Beras. Beras struggled otherwise, however, allowing 7 hits and 6 runs. Geuris Alcantara ended up with the loss though as he gave up the game winning single in the 9th.
DSL Game 2 – The Dominican Dodgers made it to extra innings in game two of their double header, but ended up getting swept by the Mariners in a 5 - 1 defeat. Josmar Cordero went 2 for 3 with a pair of doubles and Jesus Perez drove in the team's only run, but that was about it for the offense. Starter Jose Agusto Diaz was great again as he didn't gave up an earned run over 4.2 innings, and Jose Moreno was nearly perfect over the next 2.1 frames. Closer Ricardo De La Rosa got thrashed, however, as he took the loss after allowing 6 hits and 4 runs.
Coming up – Busy day on Tuesday as an Arizona Dodger double hearder means there are 8 games scheduled. Allen Webster will highlight the action as he throws for the Lookouts, and Stephen Fife will take the mound for the Isotopes. The red hot Ross Stripling will be the starter for the Raptors, Jon Michael Redding will take the ball for the Quakes, and Duke von Schamann will be on the rubber for the Loons.
Minor League Transactions – LoA: The Loons added free agent Daniel Carela to their roster, and the funny thing was that he played for the Arizona Dodgers last year but was then released. Ogden: Austin Cowen was promoted to the Raptors from Arizona.
Albuquerque Isotopes Box Score (AAA)
Chattanooga Lookouts Box Score (AA)
Rancho Cucamonga Quakes Box Score (HiA)
Great Lakes Loons Box Score (LoA)
Ogden Raptors Box Score (Rookie)
Dominican Dodgers Box Score - Game 1 (DSL)